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Cannon-Clary College of Education

Graduate Programs

Welcome to Harding University Graduate Studies in Education! Whether you want to specialize in a particular content area, further your pedagogical skills for the classroom, pursue a leadership role or become a counselor, we offer a variety of degrees and endorsement programs to suit your educational needs. For quick reference, course schedules for each program and course site are provided below under Semester Course Schedules. For information about each specific program, please feel free to browse the degree program pages, as well as the Endorsements in the drop-down sections below.

Non-Degree

Special Student

If you wish to take graduate classes simply for personal or professional advancement, you may take up to 6 hours of credit as a "Special Student." There is no application fee required but a Special Student Application must be submitted.

Not Seeking a Degree

If you are seeking additional licensure through one of our programs of study or if you have already taken the 6 hours of graduate work allowed under the "Special Student" designation, you are classified as "Not Seeking a Degree" (NSD). All NSD students must apply for admission to the Graduate program and are required to submit all admission paperwork and fees.

For additional information about these options, you may want to consult the Catalog. (Be sure to select the Graduate & Professional Catalog for the current school year from the drop-down menu).

Non-Traditional

This page is about classes offered for candidates of the Arkansas Professional Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL) program; formerly known as the Non-Traditional Licensure (NTL) program. Looking for a Master's while you get your license? Check out our Master of Arts in Teaching with Licensure program!

How do I apply?

NOTE: The applications can NOT be filled out on-line; they must be printed off and faxed to 501-279-4083.

If you wish to apply for financial aid OR have taken 6 or more graduate hours from Harding University already OR are planning to take more than 6 graduate hours in the future, you must fill out the following form instead.

Not Seeking a Degree Application (PDF)

NOTE: The applications can NOT be filled out on-line; they must be printed off and faxed to 501-279-4083.

How do I apply for Financial Aid?

How do I activate my Harding student account?

All students must activate their Harding student account before beginning classes. To do so, go to Pipeline and click Activate my Account. After filling out the required information, you will be given a username and password. As a graduate student, this account will give you a Harding email address, allow you to view and pay your business office account, view and accept financial aid records, view grades, order textbooks, and access several other services.

How do I order textbooks?

You should order your textbooks a few weeks before classes begin. To order your textbooks online, visit the Harding Bookstore. Click Textbooks. Select your department and course in the drop-down menus provided. Click Add Course and then click Get Course Materials and options for purchasing the textbooks for that course will appear. If this website is not working, contact the bookstore at hutextbooks@harding.edu.

Endorsements

In addition to our variety of graduate degrees, we also offer several endorsements, programs of study, and additional licensure programs. Whether you're looking to specialize in a certain content area or add an additional license, we have several programs offered in a variety of formats to suit your educational needs.

For additional information about any of these programs, you may want to consult the Catalog. (Be sure to select the Graduate & Professional Catalog for the current school year from the drop-down menu).

Building Level (Principal's) Licensure

Our Master of Education in Educational Leadership rigorously prepares you to become a highly qualified building level administrator. If you already have a Master's degree, a program of study can be specifically designed for you by the Director of Educational Leadership. Completion of either the degree or the program of study, along with the successful completion of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) and 4 years of teaching experience, will qualify you for standard building level licensure as a P-12 administrator.

What is the delivery method?

The Building Level program of study is offered in a hybrid format.

How many hours are required?

Course load is variable as programs of study are designed on a case by case basis.

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Who do I contact for more info?

For more information about the Building Level Licensure Program of Study please contact:

Curriculum Program Administrator: Curriculum

Our Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction prepares you to become a highly qualified Curriculum Program Administrator (CPA) in Curriculum. If you already have a Master's degree, a program of study can be specifically designed for you. Completion of either the degree or the program of study, along with the successful completion of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) and 4 years of teaching experience, will qualify you for standard Curriculum Program Administrator licensure at the P-12 level.

What is the delivery method?

The CPA: Curriculum program of study is offered in a hybrid format.

How many hours are required?

The CPA: Curriculum program of study involves 19 hours. These hours are highlighted on the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Who do I contact for more info?

For more information about the CPA: Curriculum Program of Study please contact:

Curriculum Program Administrator: Special Education

Our Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction prepares you to become a highly qualified Curriculum Program Administrator (CPA) in Special Education. If you already have a Master's degree, a program of study can be specifically designed for you. Completion of either the degree or the program of study, along with the successful completion of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) and 4 years of teaching experience, will qualify you for standard Curriculum Program Administrator licensure at the P-12 level.

What is the delivery method?

The CPA: Special Education program of study is offered in a hybrid format.

How many hours are required?

The CPA: Special Education program of study involves 19 hours. These hours are highlighted on the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience in Special Education. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Who do I contact for more info?

For more information about the CPA: Special Education Program of Study please contact:

District Level (Superintendent's) Licensure

Our Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership provides you with the competencies necessary for school district leadership. If you are not interested in obtaining an Ed.S. degree, a state approved program of study for obtaining district level licensure is also available. If you already have your standard building level licensure, completion of either the Ed.S. degree or this program of study, along with the successful completion of the School Superintendent Assessment, will grant you district level administrative licensure.

What is the delivery method?

The District Level program of study is offered in a hybrid format.

How many hours are required?

The District Level program of study involves 24 hours. These hours are outlined in the District Level Licensure Program of Study curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 4 years of teaching experience and a Building Level License. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Who do I contact for more info?

For more information about the District Level Licensure Program of Study please contact:

Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement (Reading Program)

Schools are needing teachers who understand dyslexia, dyslexia assessment, and how to help these students who struggle to read and write. This program can be completed in one calendar year. It is an Arkansas Department of Education-approved endorsement program and meets the standards of the International Dyslexia Association, the Arkansas Teaching Standards, and the International Literacy Association standards for Reading Professionals.

Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement (Special Education Program)

If you are a licensed teacher seeking an MED in Special Education K-12 and would like to add the Dyslexia Therapist endorsement, this program is for you! By completing two additional courses from the Dyslexia Therapist program of study, you will have completed the course work requirement for the Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement.

What is the delivery method?

All course work except for SPED 656, Special Education Practicum and Internship K-12, is offered online for this endorsement.

How many hours are required?

The Dyslexia Therapist Special Education K-12 endorsement consists of 15 hours which include clinical experiences in Special Education K-12. These hours are outlined in the Dyslexia Therapist curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a teaching license. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Who do I contact for more info?

For more information about the Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement please contact:

Dr. Carol Douglass, Associate Professor and Director of Special Education

Gifted and Talented Endorsement

If you are looking for an endorsement that you can complete fully online in one calendar year, the Gifted and Talented Licensure Endorsement Program is designed for you. This state-approved program is designed for the working professional and meets current Arkansas state guidelines leading to Gifted & Talented licensure endorsement.

What is the delivery method?

The GT Endorsement is offered fully online.

How many hours are required?

The GT Endorsement involves 15 hours. These hours are outlined in the GT curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Instructional Facilitator Endorsement

If you want to deal with curriculum at the building level (rather than at the district level like the Curriculum Program Administrator in Curriculum or Special Education), the Instructional Facilitator Endorsement is for you!

What is the delivery method?

The IF Endorsement is offered in a hybrid format.

How many hours are required?

The IF Endorsement involves 17 hours. These hours are outlined in the Instructional Facilitator curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To be accepted into the program, you must have a minimum of 2 years of teaching experience. You will also need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Reading Specialist Endorsement

Harding's Reading Specialist Endorsement is designed to provide you, as a classroom practitioner or literacy supervisor, with rigorous intensive training and advance knowledge. The reading endorsement content consist of 30 hours of study in: linguistic and cognitive bases of the reading process, reading comprehension, word identification, and vocabulary development, reading methodologies, diagnosis and reading program development. Our program's philosophical underpinnings reset in a glanced literacy approach to teaching of literacy and establishing highly effective literacy processes based on current research and best practices. The course of study is aligned with standards derived from national associations as well as the Arkansas Department of Education. The national agencies who standards drive the course content of the program include the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the International Reading Association (IRA).

What is the delivery method?

The Reading Specialist Endorsement is offered through classroom instruction and online classes.

Special Education B-K Endorsement

If you are a licensed teacher seeking a birth through kindergarten endorsement, the Early Childhood Birth-Kindergarten/Special Education Integrated program is for you! This endorsement will prepare you to teach students in the birth through kindergarten population.

What is the delivery method?

All course work except for SPEC 650, Clinical Experience in Early Childhood Settings, is offered online for this endorsement.

How many hours are required?

The Early Childhood Birth-Kindergarten/Special Education Integrated endorsement involves 15 hours which include clinical experiences in early childhood settings. These hours are outlined in the Special Ed B-K curriculum plan (PDF).

How do I apply?

To apply for this endorsement, you will need to fill out this application form (PDF).

Special Education K-12 Endorsement

Schools are needing teachers who are highly qualified to help all students learn. If you have a teacher’s license and are interested in working with students who learn differently, but do not have a Special Education K-12 endorsement, the Special Education K-12 Endorsement is for you! This endorsement, approved by the Arkansas Department of Education, can also be applied to a Master of Education in Special Education K-12.

What is the delivery method?

The method of delivery is fully online for the Special Education K-12 endorsement. The majority of the courses for the M.Ed. in Special Education K-12 are offered online as well.

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Endorsement

If you are looking for an endorsement that makes you very marketable and can be completed in one calendar year, the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) endorsement program is designed for you. This state-approved program is designed for the working professional and meets current Arkansas Department of Education guidelines leading to Teaching English as a Second Language endorsement. This is a P-12 endorsement that enables teachers to be English Language Learners (ELL) coordinators in schools, English as Second Language (ESL) teachers, or general education classroom teachers better equipped to reach all students in their classroom, especially students whose first language is not English. ESL is a high-need field in many areas of the United States. The population of ESL students is growing to become a significant part of the K-12 student population, and teachers with coursework in bilingual and bicultural education are needed.

What is the delivery method?

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) endorsement is offered face-to-face on the Searcy campus, through distance learning classes for students at the North Little Rock Professional Center and the Northwest Arkansas Professional Center, and two of the four classes are usually offered completely online during the summer.

How many hours are required?

The Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) endorsement involves 12 hours. These hours are outlined in the TESL curriculum plan (PDF).